Front spring busted.

[finbarr saunders]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hi Tim,

I was going to suggest this but Ian has beaten me to it. Irwin nut/bolt extractors are available in two kits and are an excellent tool by the inventors of Vise Grips.

Also, to hopefully make you feel better, I also found that two spring compressors are better than three but even then it's a case of patience, trial and error. You do need to get the strut off the car though as this is hampering your efforts.

Simon

Thanks for the advice, I don't have any sort of extractors & have no way of going to get any!, I did try to get the strut off by undoing the hub nut but I cant get that to move either, made awkward as i had taken the wheel off & the broken spring fired downwards stopping me from putting the wheel back on, tried jamming the hub with a bar across two wheel studs,a big breaker bar & steel pole, this resulted in bending one of the wheel studs but the nut stayed fast, That is why I went the unconventional route of dropping off ball joints etc so I could swing the strut out from under the wing, The main problem in all this is compressing the spring enough to get the top back on, if i can get that compressed enough then it won't be a problem putting it back together.

[trikey]

Originally Posted by finbarr saunders

I wish I could but the 15mm bolt that holds it to the hub has been rounded off & refuses to budge, (not by me may I add).

Just drop the hub off, the.garage will have oxy acetylene and will be able to get the stubborn bolt out while you are there.

[finbarr saunders]

Originally Posted by macafee2

There may well me a MK1 Tourer in Rainworth, Rays Car Dismantler.
Down a dirt track then first dirt track on the right, small scrap yard.

I think you need to get your strut off the car and work on it.
Once in your hand you will feel a whole lot better.
Do you have any Irwin bolt extractors?

macafee2

Thanks for the info & yes he does indeed have a tourer there,the bad news is that due to some environmental rules & regs he has drilled through the struts to get the oil out.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by finbarr saunders

Thanks for the advice, I don't have any sort of extractors & have no way of going to get any!

Can't you order them on line Tim for delivery to your door?

Example here.

Simon

[finbarr saunders]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Can't you order them on line Tim for delivery to your door?

Example here.

Simon

I could of course but my main problem in all of this is getting the damn spring to compress enough, Also I have been asking around & cant find a garage that can do it at short notice if I take the assembly in. I am supposed to be back at work tomorrow & I don't work local so this damn thing has really screwed me up big time, what a nightmare.

[xsport]

if your sure that compressing the spring enough will get you moving. then have you placed the bottom of the compressors under the bottom shelf of the strut ? i have done this many times before and it will not damage the seat. it should give you enough room for the top nut to go on. be very carefull when you reassemble that the bottom of the coil is in its stop and secondly that you get the top mount to sit evenly and square each side.they are renowned for not seating properly when you slowly release the spring tension. good luck !!

[xsport]

if you still find that you cannot compress the spring far enough, after doing what i suggested , then the obvious reason is as clf has said.that is that the strut is retracted and stuck. maybe when the spring broke. you could if as you say the hub is still bolted to the strut, remove the spring and put on the top mount with nut and bolt it to the upper wing. then with downward pressure on the hub itself , extend the strut back out. you dont say if the strut has a dent or crease on its outer case, if so this may be the reason , and its probably toast. see how you get on. ....

[finbarr saunders]

Originally Posted by xsport

if your sure that compressing the spring enough will get you moving. then have you placed the bottom of the compressors under the bottom shelf of the strut ? i have done this many times before and it will not damage the seat. it should give you enough room for the top nut to go on. be very carefull when you reassemble that the bottom of the coil is in its stop and secondly that you get the top mount to sit evenly and square each side.they are renowned for not seating properly when you slowly release the spring tension. good luck !!

Now that's an idea I haven't tried!, I will give that a shot & see what happens, I just hope the bottom hooks on the compressors finds somewhere secure to grip on to ,,,,,,,Cheers!

[chris75]

Originally Posted by macafee2

A member had the same problem but I think they removed strut and hub and hacksawed through the bolt to release the tension on it. they then were able to remove the bolt.


macafee2

Here's the story
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=84261
I have since got a set of Irwin extractors and can also recommend them !

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Can't you order them on line Tim for delivery to your door?

Originally Posted by finbarr saunders

I could of course but my main problem in all of this is getting the damn spring to compress enough ...

You'll find that task much less difficult with the strut on the bench, hence the advice that you use the Irwin bolt grips to release it from the hub. As the bolt head has been rounded it would be best to fit a new one (RYG 000500) which is what I did on my own car.

Simon